Everyone, except me and a few others (like me), is talking about how Ivory Coast will win the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations….I stand to differ. Ghana are my favorites. Talk about home advantage and the sheer fact that the Black Stars have improved a great deal in the last couple of years…and further still, the last two occasions when they’ve hosted, they’ve gone on to it. Four-time winners, joint second with only Cameroon, only Egypt have won more with five, Ghana is one of ten countries that have hosted and won Africa’s biggest football showpiece. Further to favor Ghana, is history mainly to due another fact that they, together with Egypt, are the only two countries that have won twice as hosts. Ghana have been champions of Africa in 1963 when they hosted and went to beat Sudan 3-0 in the final game and defended their title two year later, beating the hosts Tunisia 3-2 after extra time. The Black Stars won their third African title in 1978 when they hosted and beat Uganda 2-0 in the finals game, unfortunately, their more recent triumph is traced 26-years ago when the beat the hosts Libya 7-6 on penalties. Full time had ended 1-1. Other countries that have staged and won Africa’s most prestigious football tournament include; United Arab Republic, now Egypt (1959), Ethiopia (1962), Sudan (1970), Nigeria (1980), Egypt (1986 and 2006), Algeria (1990), South Africa (1996), Tunisia (2004). True to everyone’s (or at least the majority) pre-tournament predictions, Ivory Coast looks to be the most complete side at this year’s tournament. But to me, they are not a team with the pedigree to strike fear among opponents…they don’t have the history to back their ambitions. Les éléphants or “The Elephants” of Côte d’Ivoire have only played in the final twice (1992 and 2006) and have been champions once in 1992 when they beat Ghana 11-10 on penalties after full had ended 0-0 in Senegal. Whereas Ghana are four-time winners, have won it every time they’ve been hosts, add that to the fact they have a well-balanced and talented squad, which, most advantageously is playing at home. However, to start thinking of winning their record equaling fifth African title, the Black Stars will to first go past their traditional rivals Nigeria when the quarterfinals get underway this evening. Africa’s fiercest rivalry African football has over the years served up its fair share of compelling rivalries, but commentators say, Ghana versus Nigeria outshines them all. There is, indeed, something tasty about a confrontation between these two West African neighbours - particularly at the Nations Cup – where more than bragging rights is at stake. Those in the know-how say that their rivalry is the one by which all others are measured and this year’s tournament will heat up this evening when they battle in first quarter-final tie in the Ghanaian capital Accra. There is surely an element of respect to this rivalry, though, with Nigeria envying Ghana’s four Nations Cup titles and Ghana envying the success of Nigerian players abroad. It’s widely said that Ghana taught Nigeria football. Today will not be the first time these two superpowers in African football have met at the Nations Cup – they have confronted each other five times. Their last meeting was as recent as the 2006 finals in Egypt where the Super Eagles won 1-0 in the group stage, to add to their previous victories in 1984 and 2002. Ghana’s only win came at the 1992 finals, but the Black Stars have not beaten their rivals in a competitive fixture since. Overall, the two teams have met 59 times. Ghana lead with 24 wins to Nigeria’s 16, with the other 19 matches ending in draws. That said, there is no point in denying the fact that the 60th confrontation sees the Black Stars take on a Nigerian side that looked extremely vulnerable in their group campaign. Nonetheless, one cannot help having the impression that despite their woeful form thus far, the Super Eagles are still capable of turning this Nations Cup on its head, but the timing couldn’t come any worse-off than against an inform Ghana. A win over Nigeria, which I’m confidently predicting, will set up a semifinal clash with everyone’s favorite Ivory Coast who are expected to make light work of their quarterfinal opponents Guinea. In my opinion, Ghana versus Ivory Coast would be a final before the final, if you know what I am talking about and whoever wins that battle will go on to be the champion of Africa. Eto’o on record trail One other side that has been overlooked but still has just enough in its armory to turn around its Nations’ Cup is Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions, four-time champions of Africa, got their campaign to the worst possible start, losing 4-2 against the defending champions Egypt but two back to back to back wins against Zambia and Sudan have brought back that much needed confidence. For finishing second behind Egypt in their group, Cameroon set up a quarterfinal meeting with the 2004 winners Tunisia who topped their group with five points, level with Angola but with a better goal difference. Tunisia were second best in the first group game against Senegal and were lucky to get a 2-2 draw before seeing off an experimental South Africa side in the second and then settled for a goalless draw against Angola. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o Fils broke the Nations Cup scoring record of 14 goals that had stood since 1970 set by Ivory Coast’s Laurent Pokou’s. His record-breaking 15th goal came from a penalty on 27 minutes. The Barcelona star became the top scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations as Cameroon reached the last eight of the 2008 competition. With a player looking to extend his record away to further safety, you can’t do much but to expect a goal from somewhere from him and I bet very few would bet against Eto’o scoring against the a shaky Tunisia defence led by the ageing Rahid Jahid. Cameroon versus Egypt part two is in the offing, hoping that the defending champions live up to their billing and see off Angola because I can’t see or just imagine the later (Angola) beating the former (Egypt) in their quarterfinal clash. Ghana against Egypt is my predicted final with the hosts doing just enough to dethrone the reigning champions on penalties after the time ends in a 2-2 stalemate. Contact: nku78@yahoo.com
